The influence of chromium substitution on an iron–titanium catalyst used in the selective catalytic reduction of NO

Multifunctional interfaces for multiple uses: Tin(II)-hydroxyapatite for reductive adsorption of Cr(VI) and its upcycling into catalyst for air protection reactions

Evidence collected to date by our group has demonstrated that tin(II)-functionalized hydroxyapatites (Sn/HAP) are a newly discovered class of ecofriendly reductive adsorbents for Cr(VI) removal from wastewaters. In this work an upgraded series of Sn/HAP materials assured a maximum removal capacity of ≈ 20 mgCr/g, doubling the previously reported value for Sn/HAP materials, thanks to higher Sn-dispersion as proved by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron microscopy. Insights on kinetics and thermodynamics of the reductive adsorption process are provided and the influence of pH, dosage, and nature of Cr(VI) precursors on chromium removal performances have been investigated. Pseudo-second-order kinetics described the interfacial reductive adsorption process on Sn/HAP, characterized by low activation energy (21 kJ mol-1), when measured in the 278-318 K range. Tests performed in the 2-6 pH interval showed similar efficiency in terms of Cr(VI) removal. Conventional procedures of recycling and regeneration resulted ineffective in restoring the pristine performances of the samples due to surface presence of both Sn(IV) and Cr(III). To overcome these weaknesses, the used samples (Sn + Cr/HAP) were upcycled into catalysts in a circular economy perspective. Used samples were tested as catalysts in gas-phase catalytic processes for air pollution remediation: selective catalytic reduction of NOx (NH3-SCR), NH3 selective catalytic Oxidation (NH3-SCO), and selective catalytic oxidation of methane to CO2. Catalytic tests enlightened the interesting activity of the upcycled Sn + Cr/HAP samples in catalytic oxidation processes, being able to selectively oxidize methane to CO2 at relatively low temperature.

Effects of Flue Gas Impurities on the Performance of Rare Earth Denitration Catalysts

Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) is still the most widely used process for controlling NOx gas pollution. Specifically, commercial vanadium-based catalysts have problems such as narrow operating temperature range and environmental pollution. Researchers have developed a series of cerium-based catalysts with good oxygen storage performance and excellent redox performance of CeO2. However, the anti-poisoning performance of the catalyst is the key to its application. There are many kinds of impurities in the flue gas, which has a huge impact on the catalyst. The deposition of substances, the reduction of active sites, the reduction of specific surface area, and the reduction of chemically adsorbed oxygen will affect the denitration activity of the catalyst to varying degrees, and the poisoning mechanism of different impurities on the catalyst is also different. Therefore, this review divides the impurities contained in flue gas into different types such as alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, heavy metals, and non-metals, and summarizes the effects and deactivation mechanisms of various types of impurities on the activity of rare earth catalysts. Finally, we hope that this work can provide a valuable reference for the development and application of NH3-SCR catalysts for rare earth denitration in the field of NOx control.

Improvement of the activity and SO2 tolerance of Sb-modified Mn/PG catalysts for NH3-SCR at a low temperature

A series of MnM/palygorskite (PG) (M = La, W, Mo, Sb, Mg) catalysts was prepared by the wetness co-impregnation method for low-temperature selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with NH₃. Conversion efficiency followed the order Sb > Mo > La > W > Mg. A combination of various physico-chemical techniques was used to investigate the influence of Sb-modified Mn/PG catalysts. MnSb_0.156/PG catalyst showed highest NO conversion at low temperatures in the presence of SO₂ which reveals that addition of Sb oxides effectively enhances the SCR activity of catalysts. A SO₂ step-wise study showed that MnSb_0.156/PG catalyst displays higher durable resistance to SO₂ than Mn/PG catalyst, where the sulfating of active phase is greatly inhibited after Sb doping. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction results showed that Sb loading enhances the dispersion of Mn oxides on the carrier surface. According to the results of characterization analyses, it is suggested that the main reason for the deactivation of Mn/PG is the formation of manganese sulfates which cause the permanent deactivation of Mn-based catalysts. For Sb-doped Mn/PG catalyst, SO_x ad-species formed were mainly combined with SbO_x rather than MnO_x. This preferential interaction between SbO_x and SO₂ effectively shields the MnO_x as active species from being sulfated by SO₂ resulting in the improvement of SO₂ tolerance on Sb-added catalyst. Multiple information support that, owing to the addition of Sb, original formed MnO_x crystallite has been completely transformed into highly dispersed amorphous phase accounting for higher SCR activity.

Enhancement of Oxidation Efficiency of Elemental Mercury by CeO2/TiO2 at Low Temperatures Governed by Different Mechanisms

This study aims to investigate the photothermal oxidation removal of Hg0 in simulated flue gases using photothermal catalysts at relatively low temperatures of 120-160 °C in two phases: the first phase applied the sol-gel method to prepare TiO2 and CeO2/TiO2 photothermal catalysts and characterized surface properties by specific surface area analysis, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The second phase investigated the effects of operating parameters on Hg0 oxidation efficiency at lower temperatures of 100-160 °C. The operating parameters included reaction temperatures and modified concentrations of CeO2. Experimental results indicated that TiO2 prepared by the sol-gel method was mainly in the anatase phase. XPS analysis showed that Ce mostly existed in the form of Ce4+. The content of surface-chemisorbed oxygen increased with the modification amount of CeO2. Photothermal catalytic oxidation results indicated that CeO2/TiO2 had a much higher oxidation efficiency of Hg0 at 120-160 °C than neat TiO2, which increased from 30-60 to >90%. 7%CeO2/TiO2 not only had the best photothermal performance but also maintained high efficiency at a relatively higher reaction temperature of 160 °C.

Effect of SCR Atmosphere on the Removal of Hg0 by a V2O5-CeO2/AC Catalyst at Low Temperature

A series of V₂O₅-xCeO₂/AC (noted as V-Ce/AC) catalysts were synthesized by the impregnation method, which combined the advantage of AC and V-Ce. The effects of SCR atmosphere on Hg⁰ removal were systematically investigated at low temperature. The experimental results indicated that NO had a positive effect on Hg⁰ removal. In addition, an interesting experimental phenomenon was found that NH₃ also showed a positive effect on Hg⁰ removal, which is different from many studies that have reported a negative effect of NH₃ on Hg⁰ removal by other catalysts. NH₃-TPD experiment showed that there was no apparent competition between NH₃ and Hg⁰. An FT-IR gas analyzer and in situ DRIFTS were used to study the mechanism for the effect of NH₃ on the catalyst surface and found that a small part of NH₃ was overoxidized to NO₂ in this catalytic system. O₂ acted as a promoter in the whole process of NO and Hg⁰ removal. However, H₂O showed an inhibiting effect on Hg⁰ and NO removal over V-Ce/AC catalysts, which may be caused by the competitive adsorption of H₂O and pollutants (NO and Hg⁰). Additionally, 1 V-8Ce/AC catalyst exhibited high stability ( E_Hg = 87.6%, E_NO = 82.84%) after 72 h reaction in SCR atmosphere at 150 °C.

Low-temperature co-purification of NOx and Hg0 from simulated flue gas by CexZryMnzO2/r-Al2O3: the performance and its mechanism

In this study, series of Ce_xZr_yMn_zO₂/r-Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared by impregnation method and explored to co-purification of NO_x and Hg⁰ at low temperature. The physical and chemical properties of the catalysts were investigated by XRD, BET, FTIR, NH₃-TPD, H₂-TPR, and XPS. The experimental results showed that 10% Ce_0.2Zr_0.3Mn_0.5O₂/r-Al₂O₃ yielded higher conversion on co-purification of NO_x and Hg⁰ than the other prepared catalysts at low temperature, especially at 200-300 °C. 91% and 97% convert rate of NO_x and Hg⁰ were obtained, respectively, when 10% Ce_0.2Zr_0.3Mn_0.5O₂/r-Al₂O₃ catalyst was used at 250 °C. Moreover, the presence of H₂O slightly decreased the removal of NO_x and Hg⁰ owing to the competitive adsorption of H₂O and Hg⁰. When SO₂ was added, the removal of Hg⁰ first increased slightly and then presented a decrease due to the generation of SO₃ and (NH₄)₂SO₄. The results of NH₃-TPD indicated that the strong acid of 10% Ce_0.2Zr_0.3Mn_0.5O₂/r-Al₂O₃ improved its high-temperature activity. XPS and H₂-TPR results showed there were high-valence Mn and Ce species in 10% Ce_0.2Zr_0.3Mn_0.5O₂/r-Al₂O₃, which could effectively promote the removal of NO_x and Hg⁰. Therefore, the mechanisms of Hg⁰ and NO_x removal were proposed as Hg (ad) + [O] → HgO (ad), and 2NH₃/NH₄⁺ (ad) + NO₂ (ad) + NO (g) → 2 N₂ + 3H₂O/2H⁺, respectively. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Deep insight into the structure–activity relationship of Nb modified SnO2–CeO2 catalysts for low-temperature selective catalytic reduction of NO by NH3

The structure–activity relationship of Nb modified SnO₂–CeO₂ catalysts was investigated for selective catalytic reduction of NO by NH₃.

Homogeneous and Heterogeneous (Fex, Cr1-x)(OH)3 Precipitation: Implications for Cr Sequestration

The formation of (Fe, Cr)(OH)3 nanoparticles determines the fate of aqueous Cr in many aquatic environments. Using small-angle X-ray scattering, precipitation rates of (Fe, Cr)(OH)3 nanoparticles in solution and on quartz were quantified from 0.1 mM Fe(III) solutions containing 0-0.25 mM Cr(III) at pH = 3.7 ± 0.2. Concentration ratio of aqueous Cr(III)/Fe(III) controlled the chemical composition (x) of (Fex, Cr1-x)(OH)3 precipitates, solutions' supersaturation with respect to precipitates, and the surface charge of quartz. Therefore, the aqueous Cr(III)/Fe(III) ratio affected homogeneous (in solution) and heterogeneous (on quartz) precipitation rates of (Fex, Cr1-x)(OH)3 through different mechanisms. The sequestration mechanisms of Cr(III) in precipitates were also investigated. In solutions with high aqueous Cr(III)/Fe(III) ratios, surface enrichment of Cr(III) on the precipitates occurred, resulting in slower particle growth in solutions. From solutions with 0-0.1 mM Cr(III), the particles on quartz grew from 2 to 4 nm within 1 h. Interestingly, from solution with 0.25 mM Cr(III), particles of two distinct sizes (2 and 6 nm) formed on quartz, and their sizes remained unchanged throughout the reaction. Our study provided new insights on homogeneous and heterogeneous precipitation of (Fex, Cr1-x)(OH)3 nanoparticles, which can help determine the fate of Cr in aquatic environments.

Simultaneous Removal of NO and Hg(0) from Flue Gas over Mn-Ce/Ti-PILCs

A series of Mn-Ce/Ti-PILCs (PILCs, pillared interlayered clays) catalysts were prepared via impregnation method in simultaneous removal of NO and elemental mercury in simulated flue gas. The physicochemical properties of these catalysts have been examined by some characterization methods, such as H2-TPR, nitrogen adsorption, XRD and XPS. Mn(6%)-Ce(6%)/Ti-PILCs exhibited superior NO conversion (>95%) and Hg(0) removal efficiency (>90%) at low temperature (250 °C). The results indicated that the elemental mercury had little impact on NO removal efficiency, while the presence of NH3 and NO in SCR system inhibited the Hg(0) removal. NO and Hg(0) removal activity was strongly affected by the transform between surface adsorbed oxygen and lattice oxygen. The species ratio of Mn(4+)/Mn(3+) and Ce(4+)/Ce(3+) on the catalyst surface contributed to the NO conversions and Hg(0) removal. Mn-Ce/Ti-PILCs displayed a broad prospect for controlling the emission of NO and mercury. On the basis of the results obtained, a mechanism for the simultaneous removal of NO and Hg(0) was proposed for the Mn-Ce/Ti-PILCs catalysts: -NH2 + NO → N2 + H2O, -OH + 1/2 Hg(ad) →1/2 HgO + 1/2 H2O.

Facile preparation of ordered mesoporous MnCo2O4 for low-temperature selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3

Ordered mesoporous MnCo2O4 nanomaterials were successfully prepared through the nanocasting route using SBA-15 and KIT-6 as hard templates. These mesoporous nanomaterials were characterized using XRD, BET, TEM, NH3-TPD, H2-TPR, NO-TPD, XPS and DRIFT. The low temperature selective catalytic reduction (SCR) activity of NO with NH3 was investigated, which revealed that 3D-MnCo2O4 using KIT-6 as a template can totally clean all NO over a wide temperature range of 100-250 °C with a gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 32,000 h(-1), while 2D-MnCo2O4 with SBA-15 as a template had 95% conversion rate at the same condition. 3D-MnCo2O4 showed the best performance to clean NO due to its typical three-dimensional porous structure, large specific surface area, abundant active surface oxygen species and Lewis acid sites. All the results indicate that a novel, cheap catalyst for catalytic removal of NO can be designed by controlling the morphology at the nanoscale.

Highly efficient removal of NO with ordered mesoporous manganese oxide at low temperature

Highly ordered mesoporous MnO₂ was prepared using KIT-6 as a hard template, for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with NH₃ at low temperature, which was characterized using TEM, XRD, BET, XPS, H₂-TPR, NH₃-TPD and in situ DRIFT.

Effect of SO2 on SCR activity of MnOx/PG catalysts at low temperature

Palygorskite (PG)-supported manganese oxide catalysts (MnOx/PG) were prepared for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with ammonia in the presence of SO